In Alicante province the Compromís group within the provincial council has voiced strong objection to a decision that cuts more than 14 million euros in social emergency subsidies for municipalities and intermunicipal bodies for 2024. This reduction is framed as a severe setback for local entities that rely on these funds to drive extraordinary social measures. These measures help vulnerable families obtain essentials such as school supplies and medicines, cover rent for primary residences, and meet basic utilities like water, electricity, and gas. The subsidies would also support strengthening municipal social services staff and provide assistance to Ukrainian refugee families.
One subsidy, as highlighted by Compromís, is vital for municipalities that have seen their funds shrink from 14,984,625.10 euros in 2023 to just 3,892,918 euros in 2024. That drop threatens the continuity of social and welcoming programs and other essential services, including community outreach and support activities.
Moreover, the nationalist party notes that intermunicipal collaborations, crucial for coordinating services in rural areas and zones with fewer resources, have been hit hard as well, with a decrease of 3,119,599 euros compared to the previous year. The total for 2024 stands at 4,594,280 euros.
The cut adds to the 15 million euro reduction from the Plan +Cerca, leaving the province’s municipalities with nearly 30 million euros less in resources than the year before.
The spokesperson for Compromís, Ximo Perles, described the cut as a direct attack on municipalities and the intermunicipal bodies that work daily to provide essential services amid steep economic and social hardship. He stressed that in a moment when energy and economic crises hit hardest, the decision is unacceptable. The Diputación de Alicante, according to Perles, shows a troubling lack of sensitivity to the real needs of people.
Perles argued that the 2024 budget reductions stem from a problematic inheritance from the prior administration. He criticized the former leadership for leaving the provincial government with obligations tied to ambitious projects that never materialized, and with treasury reserves committed to proposals that failed to deliver tangible results, such as grand congress centers and ongoing electoral propaganda expenses.
From Compromís, calls were made for an immediate rectification by the Provincial Council and a reallocation of funds to allow municipalities and intermunicipal bodies to continue delivering the services citizens rely on. The message was clear: policies focused on narrow interests risk undermining the future of towns and cities. The sense of urgency was palpable as Perles concluded the remarks with a firm stance against what he described as shortsighted political funding decisions.
In the broader context, supporters of Compromís emphasized that social services, local reception programs, and other core activities depend on stable funding. The proposed rearrangements threaten the continuity of these programs, potentially widening gaps in care for the most vulnerable households, families with housing needs, and communities facing higher costs for basic utilities. This situation has sparked discussions about how best to align provincial budgets with the everyday realities faced by residents across the countryside and towns alike.
Interlocutors from Compromís insisted that the province must rethink its approach and prioritize sustainable investment in social infrastructure. They argued that investments in social services yield long-term benefits for communities, including better health indicators, stronger school outcomes, and greater local cohesion. The debate centers on balancing fiscal responsibility with the imperative to protect those who are most affected by economic pressures and the energy crisis. The objective is to ensure that funding reaches frontline programs that provide real relief and stability for families struggling to cover basic needs. Attribution: Compromís statements and public remarks by Ximo Perles.
The party called for transparent budgetary processes and a reassessment of allocations to ensure that essential services do not suffer in the face of political budgetary decisions. They urged a dialogue aimed at restoring or increasing funding levels for social emergencies and for the operational capacity of municipalities and intermunicipal bodies. The underlying message is simple: the well‑being of communities depends on steady, predictable support from provincial authorities, especially during periods of economic stress and rising living costs. Attribution: public remarks and policy notes from Compromís representatives.